The 12 Best Whittier Restaurants In 2022


Eating your way through Southern California means experiencing flavors from all over the world. Of course you’ll find your traditional all-American burgers, but you can also experience tapas with a Spanish-Mexican fusion and authentic Asian cuisines, such as Vietnamese and Thai.

The next time you find yourself looking for somewhere to eat in Whittier, be sure to check out some of these top restaurants in the city. All of these places have earned fantastic reviews, and with the variety of cuisines available, you’re sure to find something you’re in the mood for!

The Best Whittier Restaurants:

The Chicken Koop

The Chicken Koop

The Chicken Koop is a chicken-lover’s paradise and of the Whittier restaurants that we frequent the most.

You can order a traditional ½ roasted chicken (which comes with naan bread and a choice of 2 homemade dipping sauces) or make your way through a plate of tenders, nachos, or quesadillas.

Some of the fan favorites include the Cuban Style Chicken Plate and the garlic fries. This restaurant also offers brunch on the weekends, with dishes such as fried chicken and waffles and spicy chilaquiles. 

Their drink menu is extensive, with several fresh beers on tap, plus cocktails and wine if that is more your thing.

Check out the lunch specials from 11:30 to 4:00. Patrons can also get a free birthday meal (after showing a valid ID and signing up on the restaurant’s website). 

Enjoy all of these delicious options in The Chicken Koop’s atmosphere, which is both chill and warm at the same time.

12824 Hadley St #105, Whittier, CA 90601

Mimosas Kitchen and Bar

mimosas whittier

At Mimosas, you can enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner, with awesome beverages to accompany your meal, no matter what time of day. This restaurant offers 10 different types of house mimosas, including unique flavors like strawberry cotton candy and hibiscus. 

Mimosas also has a separate menu for the kids as well as fancy non-alcoholic drinks, like the Flying Unicorn Tea Lemonade, which is an iced tea that comes with a small glass of lemonade. Once the lemonade is poured into the tea, the drink turns from pink to blue.

Some of the unique breakfast items at Mimosas have Latin flares, such as the chimichurri steak. The lunch and dinner menu offers great variety, such as the filet mignon sandwich and an assortment of burgers, tacos, and pastas. Be sure to check out the happy hour specials for discounts on appetizers and drinks!

Mimosas is one of the best restaurants in Whittier for breakfast and brunch

16435 Whittier Blvd Whittier, CA 90603

Kalaveras 

Kalaveras provides a lively cultural experience to accompany its culinary expertise. Guests will be wowed by the beautiful décor inspired by the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos.

This restaurant features Mexican and Latin American cuisine, with recipes that have been shared among generations of chefs.

Patrons rave about the esquite, which is a roasted white corn with a chipotle sauce and selected seasonings. The menu is huge and offers unique, authentic flavors. Kalaveras has also earned a good reputation for having excellent service and large portion sizes.

13112 Philadelphia St, Whittier, CA 90601

The Green Leaf Thai Cuisine

The Green Leaf Thai Cuisine

If you are looking for the best thai restaurant in Whittier, The Green Leaf should definitely be at the top of your list. This restaurant is family-friendly and comfortable. It offers 8 different flavors of curry, traditional pad Thai (and versions of pad Thai with intriguing substitutes, like crab pad Thai), noodle dishes, and foods cooked on the wok.

Some of the suggested meals at this restaurant include the lobster with red curry (this one is spicy!), the kabocha curry (pumpkin curry), and the orange shrimp (on the sweeter side). The Green Leaf also offers a huge variety of appetizers, soups, and salads, making it the perfect location to try anything and everything Thai.

7756 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90602

Off the Hook Fish Grill

Off the Hook Fish Grill

Interestingly, Off the Hook was founded by a few men in the medical field who gained their inspiration through Louisiana and Latin American flavorings. This seafood restaurant is a fan favorite for its fresh foods and cozy atmosphere. 

Be sure to check out the Taco Tuesday specials, where you can choose among the traditional fish taco, the grilled fish taco, the fried shrimp taco, or the grilled shrimp taco, all for only $2.49 each. 

Off the Hook also offers daily lunch combinations and ceviche specials on Sundays. Try out several different options from the a la carte menu, or grab a few appetizers (like the calamari strips) to share with the family.

Off The Hook is one of our favorite Whittier restaurants that we never get tired of.

12824 Hadley St STE 107, Whittier, CA 90601

Phlight

Phlight - Whittier Restaurants

Tapas restaurants offer opportunities to try a variety of small plates to share with the table. At Phlight, you can try foods with a Spanish-Mexican fusion. Some popular dishes include patatas with bravas sauce, paella, bacon wrapped dates with Manchego cheese, and the crispy lentils.

Phlight also offers a variety of tacos, including the al pastor (vegan) taco, the ground beef and pickle taco, and the pork belly taco. Be sure to share an order of sauteed mushrooms and lobster mashed potatoes! 

6724 Bright Ave B, Whittier, CA 90601

La Casita Olvera

La Casita Olvera

Visit La Casita Olvera if you’re wanting to have some authentic Mexican food paired with lively, colorful drinks. A fan favorite is the guacamole, which is prepared at the tableside. You can pair your meal with one of the numerous flavors of margaritas a fruity cocktail, like a blue Hawaii or tequila sunrise.

If you’re headed in for breakfast, we recommend trying the homemade house coffee, Café de Olla, which is prepared with cinnamon sticks. Choose from dishes like traditional huevos rancheros or chorizo (sausage) con huevos. Lunch and dinner options are nearly endless, whether you’re craving tacos, burritos, fajitas, or carne asada. 

16258 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90603

Arturo’s Puffy Taco

Arturo’s Puffy Taco

Arturo’s is a counter-serve restaurant with street-inspired Tex-Mex cuisine. Some popular options include tacos, tostadas, puffy tacos, burritos and quesadillas. In case you’ve never heard of a puffy taco, these are the tacos where the tortilla is fried to create a crispy outer shell while keeping the inside soft. 

One of the best ways to get the full experience at Arturo’s is to order a combination plate. One option (called The Mexican Plate) includes a puffy taco, carne guisada, rice, beans, and a jalapeño pepper. Since you’ll need something to drink with all that food, we recommend the homemade lemonade.

If you’re looking for some killer tacos from one of the best Whittier restaurants, look no further than Arturo’s.

15693 Leffingwell Rd, Whittier, CA 90604

Pho Whittier

Pho Whittier

Pho Whittier is a restaurant offering Vietnamese cuisine that includes traditional pho as well as other specialties, such as Vietnamese fried eggrolls and grilled pork spring rolls. This Whittier restaurant also features 11 different flavors of milk tea.

If you’re looking to order pho, you’ll notice that Pho Whittier has 22 different flavors to choose from. Each pho dish comes with garnishes to help enhance the flavor (such as jalapeño, basils, and lime). There is also a vegetarian menu as well as choices of stir fried noodles and broken rice plates. 

8426 Laurel Ave D, Whittier, CA 90605

Rusty Monk

Rusty Monk

If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of comfort food, check out Rusty Monk, a local gastropub known for its great food and service and one of the best restaurants in Whittier. Many of the dishes are Belgian-inspired, such as the soft Bavarian pretzel with mustard. You’ll also want to check out the pork schnitzel and mac and cheese.

Order the Monk Grilled Cheese if you’re interested in trying a fancier version of this classic sandwich. The Monk includes brie, gruyere, fresh apples, and homemade jam. The fish and chips are also quite popular. Happy Hour specials include a beer flight and discounted appetizers and small bites to share.   

6749 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601

Modern Shaman

Modern Shaman

One restaurant we ALL agreed had to be on our guide to the best Whittier restaurants is The Modern Shaman.

Modern Shaman was inspired by the experiences of travelers who made their way through Peru and Bolivia alongside an Andean community. What’s interesting about this restaurant is that all of the food is plant-based and dairy-free.

This may sound like a drag to anyone who loves a good burger with cheddar—but keep an open mind because this menu is packed with flavorful dishes made from locally sourced foods. 

We’re talking about dishes like loaded (vegan) cheese fries, tons of impossible burgers and sandwiches, and chimichurri ravioli. Combine these meals with a handcrafted cocktail for some extra fun and flavor.

6744 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90601

Ronin BBQ Teriyaki 

Ronin BBQ Teriyaki 

Guests love Ronin BBQ Teriyaki for its Asian fusion dishes, including teriyaki bowls, burritos, and BBQ sandwiches. All of the sauces are made on-site daily, and each side dish is made fresh to order. 

Plates at Ronin are low in fat and do not contain MSG. All dishes are prepared in an eco-friendly manner, so you’ll never have to feel guilty about indulging yourself! Try a combination plate and some homemade sides to get a good taste of what this restaurant has to offer. 

8250 Painter Ave, Whittier, CA 90602

E Sushi 

Our favorite sushi spot among other Whittier restaurants is E Sushi. Patrons definitely go for the traditional sushi and sashimi options, but there are also grilled and fried dishes to try as well.

E Sushi uses quality ingredients and features huge menu of food and drink options, including both warm and cold beverages. If you’re looking for Japanese foods cooked by an experienced seafood chef, definitely check out E Sushi.

15334 Whittier Blvd #6, Whittier, CA 90603

Map of Whittier Restaurants:

Mariska Lee

Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit. She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.

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